She’s coming home.

[brucemillar]

Well after what seems like an age, my 124 returned home this afternoon. This after an extended 6 month holiday at Wright-Tech in Sidcup.

The length of time away was fine and agreed between myself and Andy before work started.

Work began (again) at last years BOTG when my engine bay OCD spotted a fine misting of hydraulic fluid that on investigation was shown to have dropped from the “hydraulic tandem pump”. This carries fluids for the power steering & 4-Matic system and is driven by a dirty great pulley. Fluid was dripping from behind the pulley down onto the main belt where it was misted and thrown in a perfect arc up over the front slam panel and inner wings.

When I say “dripping” I am talking about a dingle drop of fluid once every few hours. But enough to annoy the **** Out of me.

As is always the way these days. No refurb kit was available nor was a new tandem pump.

Once again to the rescue came the absolutely wonderful Simon Brown (Carat 3.6) who just so happened to have a good second hand pump. Deal done and Simon posted the pump off the Andy at Wright-Tech.

Next leak. Gear box pump main seal. It could have carried in for years but was also misting and spraying under the car. Guess who just happened to have a replacement ? Yup. Simon to the rescue again.

So with the two pumps on-site all Andy had to do was remove the engine & gearbox again (I think this is the third or fourth time) replace the pumps. Check the leaks. Do all the due diligence bits you do with the engine and box out including cleaning the engine bay (again) and the underside.

Then fix the sticking 4-Matic juddering issue. This turned out to be a mixture of leaks, poor pressure, sticky solenoids and needing another good bleeding.

And so she’s back. I drive her home from Sidcup to Stockbury and smiled the entire journey.

Driving. Set up 124 is just great fun really great fun. Boy did I enjoy that.

Now it’s back to cleaning and some fettling (needs a new thermostat).

But, it’s great to have her back home and looking, sounding and driving beautifully.

Fingers crossed.

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[Abcan]

That’s such a nice car!

 

[Chrishazle]

Should have come looking for you today Bruce as we were at the showground, but the FFX show was so disappointing we were in and out in 1 1/2 hours so headed home! Will not bother going again.

I think there's another 124 fan on Tally Ho Road Shadoxhurst opposite the turning to Shadoxhurst - seen it a few times when passing, it's a saloon in green - but it's normally under a cover and I've not been brave enough to knock on the door!

 

[Justintyme]

Well after what seems like an age, my 124 returned home this afternoon. This after an extended 6 month holiday at Wright-Tech in Sidcup.

The length of time away was fine and agreed between myself and Andy before work started.

Work began (again) at last years BOTG when my engine bay OCD spotted a fine misting of hydraulic fluid that on investigation was shown to have dropped from the “hydraulic tandem pump”. This carries fluids for the power steering & 4-Matic system and is driven by a dirty great pulley. Fluid was dripping from behind the pulley down onto the main belt where it was misted and thrown in a perfect arc up over the front slam panel and inner wings.

When I say “dripping” I am talking about a dingle drop of fluid once every few hours. But enough to annoy the **** Out of me.

As is always the way these days. No refurb kit was available nor was a new tandem pump.

Once again to the rescue came the absolutely wonderful Simon Brown (Carat 3.6) who just so happened to have a good second hand pump. Deal done and Simon posted the pump off the Andy at Wright-Tech.

Next leak. Gear box pump main seal. It could have carried in for years but was also misting and spraying under the car. Guess who just happened to have a replacement ? Yup. Simon to the rescue again.

So with the two pumps on-site all Andy had to do was remove the engine & gearbox again (I think this is the third or fourth time) replace the pumps. Check the leaks. Do all the due diligence bits you do with the engine and box out including cleaning the engine bay (again) and the underside.

Then fix the sticking 4-Matic juddering issue. This turned out to be a mixture of leaks, poor pressure, sticky solenoids and needing another good bleeding.

And so she’s back. I drive her home from Sidcup to Stockbury and smiled the entire journey.

Driving. Set up 124 is just great fun really great fun. Boy did I enjoy that.

Now it’s back to cleaning and some fettling (needs a new thermostat).

But, it’s great to have her back home and looking, sounding and driving beautifully.

Fingers crossed.

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That's one hell of a fine looking car Bruce......!!!! Even if it only drives half as well as it looks, it would still be fantastic !!!

 

[brucemillar]

Should have come looking for you today Bruce as we were at the showground, but the FFX show was so disappointing we were in and out in 1 1/2 hours so headed home! Will not bother going again.

I think there's another 124 fan on Tally Ho Road Shadoxhurst opposite the turning to Shadoxhurst - seen it a few times when passing, it's a saloon in green - but it's normally under a cover and I've not been brave enough to knock on the door!

Chris

Sorry to hear about the show. That’s a real let down for what should be a good day out. Not sure about the Shadoxhurst car but do let me know if you make a move in it?

For now I’m delighted to have mine back and am looking forwards to some fettling for BOTG.




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[brucemillar]

That's one hell of a fine looking car Bruce......!!!! Even if it only drives half as well as it looks, it would still be fantastic !!!

Thank you. She actually drives like a new car. Given the amount of time and effort on rebuilding the whole engine along with everything else[emoji106] she should do.


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[Trickythemerc]

Bruce . Glad to see and hear she is back home so you can enjoy and fettle some more. The car is an absolute credit to you and the guys who have helped you create such a stunning looking motor. Attention to detail is clearly important to you and deserves a huge round of applause everyone clap now please

 

[Edd1968]

Bruce, I'd love to come round to dinner one day, and eat my dinner off your engine! Not a spec of dirt?!

 

[brucemillar]

Tricky (If I can call you that?)

Thank you. We love the car. My sixteen year old daughter thinks it’s the “coolest” of our cars. I take this as huge credit, given her fabulous artistic talents.

The story (to encourage others is a tale built on forum success.

The original car was owned by Andy @ Wright-Tech. I used to see it regularly when dropping into Andy with my other cars that he looks after. As one of the rarer 4-Matics that still worked and drive as a 4-Matic car, it always had my interest.

On the surface, she had the usual rust holes with bonnet that was wrapped around the engine, after the local yoof decided to run up & down it one night outside Andy’s house. The vandalism happened at the same time our Range Rover decided to catch fire and completely burn out on the A66 just outside Penrith.

A Perfect Storm : I needed a 4X4. Recognising that vandals would seal her fate at a breakers, Andy wanted to get rid of her. Price agreed / deal done.

Several years of being used as Andy’s Garage truck had left the floor awash (this is true) with several litres of ATF & Engine oil. This had turned the carpets into an anti-rust protective jacket that had combined with the factory under seal to create a solid, rust free, base to work from.

We really just wanted an honest example of a daily driver. But, we got hooked on the whole 124 Wagon bug.

The rest is history and documented in the forum.

Big decisions: To aim for a really top end original car that we could enjoy twelve months of the year.

To that end. She went to my friends in Hastings to have the body media blasted and new metal stitched in, avoiding and removing fillers where we could. Fitting new seals & glass and (from the forum) the mushroom leather Sportline Interior including the 7th seats, that were original, but cloth.

The Willow Green Glassurit Paint & Lacquer, with the Gallinite Gray sills & bumpers are all factory original from the data card. As she was built and intended.

The engine was rebuilt after, breaking/bending the crank-shaft on her first run out to Charles Morgan’s GTG. We used that same window to re-build & refurbish the gearbox & transfer boxes, with the front & rear suspension and a refurbished set of Lepsons 18 slot original 4-Matic wheels with the correct figment Dunlop rubber all round.

The original carpets survived years of being soaked in oil and were treated to something like, twenty jet washes, using Charles Morgan’s Kaercher Carpet Shampooer, a brilliant bit of kit that I could not afford but Charles very kindly loaned us along with some of his time to blast the interior spotlessly clean.

New Brakes all round and a host of “missing” small bits were sourced and replaced and there you have it/her.

A fairly factory original 300te 4-Matic from 1986/7.

Would we do it again. I’m not so sure. It has taken years and blood along with tears and effort. But we love the car. She now lives,rain free, & dry in our garage but gets out most sunny weekends. I do admit to dodging the rain. It’s just to much effort to clean.

Oh. The engine was painted to (true story) use up paint and because I hated the huge black lump that greeted me every time I opened the bonnet. All the cleaning effort that went into it after most trips, was lost in the blackness.

The matching green caused no end of debate. But we like it and all can see it. The downside: you very easily spot leaks that force you to act and then, you are writing posts like this about where all the money goes [emoji48]

Phew.

Have a great weekend.

Bruce

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[rockits]

Great news and great work Bruce. Lovely to 2 old uns together again. I think you've outgrown that 3rd of seats though!

Really good that you have gone to the time, effort and money to save/keep such an iconic model from the devil.

I hope that she gives you many many many years of enjoyment [emoji6]

I've got a 306 GTi-6 half project in my garage ready for when I get some time or retire or even semi retired would be good!

Keep well.

 

[brucemillar]

Thank you for the kind praise. Yes the rear seats are a challenge. But, for the fun, you have to have them [emoji48]

Sounds like good news on the Peugeot front. Do tell us more. These cars have s great appreciation and big following now.

If you use Facebook? You may want to join the - Classic and Retro Car Channel. It’s more about pictures. But some great ideas for originality in this era of car.




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[rockits]

Thank you for the kind praise. Yes the rear seats are a challenge. But, for the fun, you have to have them [emoji48]

Sounds like good news on the Peugeot front. Do tell us more. These cars have s great appreciation and big following now.

If you use Facebook? You may want to join the - Classic and Retro Car Channel. It’s more about pictures. But some great ideas for originality in this era of car.




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Praise well earned [emoji6]

I've had the Pug for a couple of years now. Had one new as a company car back in 1997. I think they are one of the best hot hatches ever made. Better than the earlier 205 and anything later IMHO. I had been keeping an eye out for a straight, genuine, stock example with low miles and good history. This had all of this so I couldn't not buy it. It was 1350 quid at the time so a no brainer.

Funny day.....had just bought a Maserati 4200 project from an SM forum member in Southend. Was driving that back and passing the GTi-6's owners place on way back. Got stuck on M25 jam in a ropey V8 Maser with no working fans or ac sweating my proverbials off in 80 degree heat with hot V8 shoving more heat at me out through the side vents into my open window!

Bought the 306 as well and picked up that night. Only time I have ever bought and collected 2 cars in one day!

Not really on Facebook or any social media. Weird for guy working in the tech world but I like a bit of privacy and time away from people. However I might make an exception in this case and take a peek. Thanks Bruce.

 

[Flyinspanner]

Love that 124 Bruce

 

[brucemillar]

Praise well earned [emoji6]

I've had the Pug for a couple of years now. Had one new as a company car back in 1997. I think they are one of the best hot hatches ever made. Better than the earlier 205 and anything later IMHO. I had been keeping an eye out for a straight, genuine, stock example with low miles and good history. This had all of this so I couldn't not buy it. It was 1350 quid at the time so a no brainer.

Funny day.....had just bought a Maserati 4200 project from an SM forum member in Southend. Was driving that back and passing the GTi-6's owners place on way back. Got stuck on M25 jam in a ropey V8 Maser with no working fans or ac sweating my proverbials off in 80 degree heat with hot V8 shoving more heat at me out through the side vents into my open window!

Bought the 306 as well and picked up that night. Only time I have ever bought and collected 2 cars in one day!

Not really on Facebook or any social media. Weird for guy working in the tech world but I like a bit of privacy and time away from people. However I might make an exception in this case and take a peek. Thanks Bruce.

You know how test your bodily functions then [emoji83]

I just called my neighbour as he did have a Pug that may have suited you as a donor. Sadly it has gone. He did say it was beyond any kind of repairs but was bought for the engine, box & a “nice set of wheels & tyres”.

You will find that it’s a very open Church here (I knew I could use that phrase one day ) in terms of make and models. You will normally get a whole lot of knowledge if you ask. We did have a couple of SM owners at one point. One recently just selling a beautiful example back (I believe) to France.

That sounded like heaven should.

Good luck with all the projects and keep in touch on here.


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[Doodle]

Not really on Facebook or any social media. Weird for guy working in the tech world but I like a bit of privacy and time away from people.

Not as weird as you think. I avoid almost all the social media platforms, only Facebook to keep up with friends I don't get to see regularly and my feed is heavily filtered and edited. I've noticed the expectation though.